Mac compatible charting/navigation program

Aiviq

I came across this the other day. It's the first (shipping) Mac (OS-X) compatible charting and navigation program I've seen. I knew there was another one in development by Barco software, but it isn't shipping yet. This one (MacENC) is apparently compatible with ENC vector charts (such as NOAA ENCs - Free!), as well as raster charts such as Softchart and Maptech. The web site says it's already "universal" (i.e., optimized for the new Intel macs, as well as the old PowerPC processors).

It can be mated to a USB GPS receiver and used as a plotter (or any NMEA GPS receiver through a serial to USB adapter). Looks pretty cool. I think I'm finally going to have to retire my OS-9 PowerBook G3 and upgrade to a macbook-pro. I always thought the Mac-Mini would make a cool on-board computer, too, except for the lack of software in the past.

http://www.gpsnavx.com/MacENC/index.php?page=Home

Jim

Luna C · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 1:06 am Post subject:

Thanks, I'll be checkin' it out.

iggy · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 2:50 am Post subject:

I spent about an hour with the demo yesterday. Downloaded Columbia R. charts of Portland area. I'm new at this, but it seemed pretty impressive to me. Select buoy and/or beacon and get a complete description .. interesting.

More later - going to spring training!

eg